270 Days Ago

In the world of Arla, there are many realms.

The Living Realm.

Oneira, the Realm of Dreams.

Gardenia, Arla’s Majestic Heaven.

The Abyss, the Forbidden Realm.

There's also the Frost Realm called Galassia. A freezing, dark realm of ice bridges, frozen lakes, and sporadic blizzards. Created by the Goddess Skyra, Galassia is home to polar white animals that roam freely and 93% of the Dawnwalkers race— the race of beings created by Skyra, creatures that like to feed on the pain of others, identified by their pale crystalline skin, white eyes, and claws of lighting.

The day Emmar was set to be crowned the Pariesa of the Isle, hours before she stormed into Sharra's life, Sharra was in Galassia talking to Ravyna, the Regent of Galassia and leader of the Dawnwalkers race, and more of a mother to Sharra than her actual mother. The two were sitting on a glacier near the gateway back to the Living Realm, catching up, and discussing Emmar.

“What does Emmar look like, exactly?” Ravyna had asked.

Despite being over 200 years old, the only royalty Ravyna was acquainted with were the Kings and Queens of the Isle and their children. She rarely left Galassia. And when she did, she never ventured outside the Isle’s borders.

“Freckles. Tons of freckles.” Sharra answered, as she fiddled with the white ribbon around her wrist. The ribbon was inscribed with cursed runes created by the Goddess Nirea.

“What about her hair?”

“Wavy.” Sharra replied.

“Black?”

Sharra nodded.

“Short?

“They tell me she’s extremely tall.” Sharra sighed.

“They?”

“Yes, they. The truth is, I haven’t seen her in years.” Sharra admitted shyly.

Ravyna narrowed her eyes. “How many years?”

“Thirteen.” Sharra mumbled.

“THIRTEEN!” Ravyna screamed. “You’ve been Queen for seven years. How does that happen?”

“Come on, Ravyna. You know the saying—”

“Hide your heir or start working on a spare.” They said at the same time.

The two smiled at each other.

Ravyna reached out for Sharra’s right hand.

“Do you think she is going to be a problem?” Ravyna asked softly.

“Aren’t they all a problem?” Sharra mumbled.

“Maybe she’ll be different?” Ravyna hoped so, but deep down she knew the truth.

Sharra shrugged her shoulders.

“I’m here if you need anything.” Ravyna promised, as she squeezed Sharra’s hand.

Sharra nodded, then turned her attention back to the ribbon on her wrist. After a couple of seconds of toying with it, she carefully removed it, carefully avoiding touching the runes. Once she was able to fully remove it, she reached out for Ravyna’s hand. Ravyna watched with curious eyes as Sharra placed the ribbon around Ravyna's wrist.

“For my….Beloved Guardian. Happy Womb Day.” She whispered.

Once it was fully on, Ravyna pulled Sharra into a hug. Sharra immediately embraced her back.

“Thank you.” Ravyna whispered into her hair.

“The runes inscribed are potent.” Sharra whispered back.

Ravyna pulled back, eyebrows raised. “How potent?”

Sharra wiggled her eyebrows.

After Ravyna fully let go of Sharra, the two raised to a standing position. Glancing down, Sharra noticed her lilac dress was full of wrinkles. She spent almost a minute smoothing out the wrinkles with her glove covered hands. After she was done, she noticed Ravyna was looking at her with judging eyes.

“Now, Sharra. Are you ready to tell me why you’re really here and not preparing for that ceremony?”

Sharra turned her head away from Ravyna. “I wanted to give you your gift.”

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Ravyna folded her arms across her chest. “Come on, Sharra.”

Sharra really didn’t want to talk about her problems, but she also knew Ravyna was the only person she could talk to about this. After a minute of trying to find the right words, Sharra finally said,

“I just don’t understand, Ravyna. I just don’t.”

“Understand what?”

“The Separationists.”

Ravyna unfolded her arms. “I’m guessing the delegation didn’t go well.”

“They say they are taking their claims to the High Court.” Sharra revealed. “We are the only people protecting the Separationists from Stefan and his…ways. Why can’t they see that?”

“It’s because they fear you.”

“Not enough.” Sharra mumbled back.

Already having enough of this convo, Sharra jumped off the glacier. Ravyna quickly followed and the two made their way back to the gateway to the Living Realm in silence.

On their way, something caught their eye. Their steps immediately came to a halt.

“Was that—”

“An ice ghost.” Ravyna confirmed.

Sharra groaned. “Out of all of the realms, why do they come here?”

“For peace and quiet?” Ravyna joked.

Sharra grunted and kept walking, Ravyna following closely behind.

When they finally reached the gateway, Ravyna spoke up and said “You have to understand the Separationists' position, my child. Compromise, if it’s too big of a burden.”

“I understand their position.” Sharra hissed. “It’s them who don’t understand mine. All of these duties. Making an heir with a husband who no longer understands me, holding these secrets. I didn’t ask for this. My mother…”

“You are not your mother…” Ravyna interrupted. “nor your grandmother.”

Sharra gave Ravyna a pointed look. “I know I’m not.”

Sharra turned away from her, but Ravyna pulled her back towards her and said, “Let them be then.”

Sharra’s face scrunched up. “What are you saying?

“If you don’t want to deal with those Separationists anymore, free them and let them fend for their lives.”

“I…can’t.” Sharra stuttered, as she shook her head.

“They don’t have to be your responsibility.”

Sharra softly pushed Ravyna away.

“Don’t turn away from me.” Ravyna said coldly. “You are not your ancestors. Not Arra, Shioban, Jaspar, Lira. You are Sharra. You are free to do whatever.”

Sharra rolled her eyes.

“You are the Incarnate of Skyra. Vote for their so-called freedom. And let them learn their lesson.” Ravyna continued on.

Sharra started to aggressively shake her head. “Stefan will swoop in. I can’t let that happen.”

“Why not? Are you not confident in Emmar’s abilities to defend Benna?”

“She’s young.” Sharra answered angrily. “She has to learn her powers. She won’t be ready.”

Ravyna rolled her eyes. “Why are you so sure Stefan will come for that land anyway? Is Arla not in this supposed Restoration Age?”

Sharra placed a hand over her fast beating chest, rubbing it, commanding it to slow. “Stefan will not stop until Arla is under his entire control. I know it….And then there’s the mess in the Desert. The Desert King, he is….. A war could come soon and we must be prepared.”

“Another war will completely destroy Arla…and I’m sure those Kings know that.” Ravyna countered.

Sharra turned her head in the direction of the Ice Forest, but Ravyna wasn’t done talking.

“The Separationists want Benna back, so let them go. And when Stefan comes for them, let them die if you must. Let them learn their lesson.” Ravyna added coldly.

Sharra whipped her head back in the direction of Ravyna.

Ravyna raised her arms. “This is only my opinion.”

The two then fell into a brief silence. Suddenly, an icy mixture began to fall from the sky. Sharra extended her hand out, welcoming the blue mixture into her hands. The moment took her back to a memory when her mother took her to Galasssia before her Ascension, and what she told her that night.

“There’s also the promise I made to my mother.” Sharra said slowly, disrupting the silence.

“What does that have to do with the Separationists and giving back Benna?” Ravyna asked, confused.

“If I break up the Isle and give them Benna back, it is Emmar who will rise to rule. Why would I just give away the only person who happens to have the power to see into a soul?” Sharra explained.

“You’re thinking of using her?”

“That's…..what… I’m….thinking.”

“But?”

“I’m also aware it is best if the Desert King and I are the only Incarnates to know.” Sharra answered. “And my mother didn't want to use their help, but maybe we have no other choice.”

Ravyna started to rub her fingers against her temple. “Tell me, my child. What do you want exactly?”

“I don’t want this burden.” Sharra answered quickly. “But I must not abandon my promise.”

“Then, you have three pathways.”

“And they are?”

Ravyna raised three fingers.

“One, abandon Benna…and focus on finding what your mother and grandmother couldn’t.”

Ravyna lowered a finger.

“Two, find a way to use Emmar.”

She lowered another.

“Or three…rule the Isle like those who came before you, merciless and without fear.”

Sharra let out a huge groan. “If only we knew what happened to the Incarnate of Truth. It’ll be easier.”

“Maybe he’s with the Fire God-King.” Ravyna suggested.

“Maybe.” Sharra mumbled. “I don’t really want to venture out west though.”

“Use Janel.”

Sharra shook her head. “I don’t like releasing her beyond the Isle.”

The two were stumped. Suddenly, Sharra was breathing heavily. Ravyna noticed, and immediately reached out to hold her hand.

“It’ll be okay,” Ravyna said. “and we'll deal with the Separationists together. If you want to give up Benna, I’ll support you. If war breaks out, we’ll be ready..with or without Benna.”

“And if I find what my mother couldn’t?”

“Well, that’s up to you.” Ravyna answered. “But I have a feeling, you already made your choice… and there is no changing it.”

To be continued.